Anna Williams
Your friends will want
to help. Here are three simple ways to let them know how you are and what you need.
Leave a message on your phone. You can say something like ‘I’m recuperating and can’t return phone calls, but
I should be ready for visitors in a week,’” suggests psychologist Raymond Crowel. This saves you the time and stress of having to return dozens of phone calls while also letting friends know what’s going on.Designate a point person to disseminate information, says psychologist Alexander Levy. Your friend can either e-mail or start
a round-robin of calls with a report on your status and what friends can do to help — whether it’s coming
by to visit or taking
your kids to the park.Send out an e-mail to friends. Explain what’s going on and how they can help, Crowel suggests. Your message might say, “Yes, Jim and I are really separating. I’m feeling stunned and a little lonely. I could use some company or an invitation to the movies.”
